A research‑backed ranking and directory of private equity investors financing the new energy economy—spanning renewables, storage, grid infrastructure, and digital‑power convergence.
Private capital is the engine of the energy transition. What began as a niche, impact‑oriented theme is now a core strategy for the world’s largest alternative asset managers. Scale platforms are moving beyond standalone generation to own and operate the full decarbonization value chain—renewables, storage, transmission, and the digital infrastructure that depends on 24/7 clean power.
Our analysis of 50 influential firms highlights three durable forces: long‑term policy support, relentless corporate demand (especially from hyperscale data centers), and technology economics that make new renewables the most cost‑effective source of power in many markets.
Instruments like the IRA’s tax credits and green financing create long‑horizon certainty for development and reinvestment.
RE100 commitments and massive, non‑negotiable power needs from AI/data centers provide bankable, long‑term demand.
Utility‑scale solar and wind are cost‑competitive, and storage continues to improve—driving investable, scalable projects.
Backlogs and permitting delays extend timelines and raise costs.
Global logistics and component availability remain uneven across geographies.
Higher rates compress returns and complicate exits; creative structures bridge valuation gaps.
Large funds acquire operating assets and platforms, prioritizing contracted cash flows and downside protection.
Backs scaling solutions—AI grid software, cybersecurity, long‑duration storage, green fuels, and more.
Flexible, bespoke financing fills gaps as traditional lenders retrench; supports construction and platform expansion.
| Rank | Firm | Relevant AUM | Primary specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brookfield Asset Management | ~$98.6B (Brookfield Renewable Partners total assets) | hydro, wind, solar |
| 2 | KKR | ~$90B (infrastructure platform) | renewables, storage, core infrastructure |
| 3 | BlackRock (incl. GIP) | ~$12.5T (firm) / ~$94B (GIP) | renewable power, midstream, infrastructure |
| 4 | Macquarie Asset Management | ~A$941B (firm); 90+ GW green pipeline | onshore/offshore wind, solar, storage |
| 5 | Blackstone (BETP) | $24B+ invested in transition; $5.6B BETP IV | grid components, engineering services, energy software |
| 6 | Apollo Global Management | $30B+ deployed in transition | infrastructure, hybrid capital, renewables |
| 7 | The Carlyle Group | ~$420B (firm); ~$1B+ RSEF II | solar, wind, storage |
| 8 | TPG (Rise Climate) | $29B impact AUM; $7.3B Rise Climate I | decarbonization tech, mobility, industrial solutions |
| 9 | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | ~$514B (alternatives); $10B+ infra capital | clean energy, transport, digital |
| 10 | Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners | ~$18B since inception (platform) | utilities, energy, digital |
Operates one of the world’s largest renewable power and decarbonization platforms across hydro, wind, solar, storage, and distributed energy.
Cycle‑tested infrastructure investor with dedicated strategies in core, APAC, and climate; invests across decarbonization and digitalization themes.
Greenfield renewables leader focused on large, complex projects—especially offshore wind; also onshore wind, solar, storage, and Power‑to‑X.
Electricity infrastructure specialist across renewables, storage, transmission, and efficient gas supporting grid reliability.
Infrastructure and real assets specialist at the intersection of energy and digital; builds and scales platforms like Madison Energy.
Developer, investor, and operator spanning generation (gas, solar, wind), transmission, and distributed energy; early mover in utility‑scale battery storage.
Platform development approach across energy, utilities, transport, and digital with strong presence in growth markets.
Infrastructure investor providing flexible capital from structured debt to equity across climate and sustainable assets.
Focuses on assets critical to electrification and the digital economy across power, renewable, and strategic gas infrastructure.
Digital infrastructure specialist (data centers, towers, fiber, edge) increasingly paired with clean power solutions.
ESG‑focused manager specializing in renewable energy, storage, and grid stability; growing data‑center‑powered platforms.
Global sustainable infrastructure investor building and operating energy, digital, and real‑estate assets in growth markets.
Pure‑play infrastructure investor across energy & environment, digital, transport, and social infrastructure.
Energy, resources, and sustainable infrastructure specialist with private equity and credit platforms.
Operates one of the world’s largest renewable power and decarbonization platforms across hydro, wind, solar, storage, and distributed energy.
~$98.6B (Brookfield Renewable Partners total assets)
Global
1899 (firm); BEP 2011
North America, Europe, LATAM, Asia
Brookfield Renewable Partners platform
Key Investments
Neoen (talks) • Global hydro portfolio • Corporate decarbonization deals (e.g., Google)
Cycle‑tested infrastructure investor with dedicated strategies in core, APAC, and climate; invests across decarbonization and digitalization themes.
~$90B (infrastructure platform)
Global
1976
Global
KKR Global Climate Fund (in market)
Key Investments
X‑Elio • Viridor • Crossover Energy
Scaled private infrastructure platform following GIP acquisition; invests across renewables and midstream assets supporting grid reliability.
~$12.5T (firm) / ~$94B (GIP)
Global
1988
Global
Global Renewable Power series; GIP flagship
Key Investments
Global Renewable Power funds • GIP portfolio
World’s largest infrastructure manager with specialist green platforms (Aula Energy, DESRI, Eku Energy) and a vast development pipeline.
~A$941B (firm); 90+ GW green pipeline
Global
1969
Global
Macquarie Green Energy & Climate Opportunities
Key Investments
Aula Energy • DESRI • Eku Energy
Flexible capital across the decarbonization value chain—equipment, services, software, and infrastructure ‘picks‑and‑shovels’.
$24B+ invested in transition; $5.6B BETP IV
Global
1985
Global
Blackstone Energy Transition Partners IV
Key Investments
Power Grid Components • Geosyntec • Energy Exemplar
Integrated platform with deep credit expertise; delivers large‑scale hybrid and structured capital solutions for transition projects.
$30B+ deployed in transition
Global
1990
Global
ACT Capital platform
Key Investments
Platform capital solutions
Dedicated renewable and sustainable energy platform focused on solar, wind, storage, EV infrastructure, and green ammonia.
~$420B (firm); ~$1B+ RSEF II
Global
1987
OECD
Renewable & Sustainable Energy Fund II
Key Investments
OECD markets value‑add projects
Impact pioneer backing climate solutions across growth equity and buyout.
$29B impact AUM; $7.3B Rise Climate I
Global
1992
Global
TPG Rise Climate
Key Investments
Platform climate solutions
Global infrastructure manager investing in transportation, energy, and digital assets with increasing focus on clean energy.
~$514B (alternatives); $10B+ infra capital
Global
1869
Global
Infrastructure fund series
Key Investments
Global infrastructure platforms
Private infrastructure platform targeting essential assets with value‑creation through active management across utilities, energy, and digital.
~$18B since inception (platform)
Global
2006 (platform)
Global
MSIP fund series
Key Investments
Essential infrastructure
European private investment leader with large infrastructure platform focused on energy, transport, and digital.
~$41B (infrastructure AUM)
Europe, Americas
1996
Europe, Americas
Ardian Infrastructure fund series
Key Investments
European/US infrastructure
Infrastructure and real assets specialist at the intersection of energy and digital; builds and scales platforms like Madison Energy.
~$76.3B
Global
2011
Global
Stonepeak infrastructure funds
Key Investments
Madison Energy • WahajPeak
Platform development approach across energy, utilities, transport, and digital with strong presence in growth markets.
~$50B+
Global
2012
Global
ISQ infrastructure funds
Key Investments
Global platforms
Electricity infrastructure specialist across renewables, storage, transmission, and efficient gas supporting grid reliability.
~$35B (capital commitments)
North America
2005
North America
ECP Fund V ($2.7B)
Key Investments
Calpine (take‑private) • Algonquin NA renewables
Greenfield renewables leader focused on large, complex projects—especially offshore wind; also onshore wind, solar, storage, and Power‑to‑X.
~€33B raised; CI V > €12B
Global
2012
OECD focus
CI V (flagship)
Key Investments
Global offshore wind platforms
Infrastructure investor providing flexible capital from structured debt to equity across climate and sustainable assets.
~$21.1B (infrastructure AUM)
Global
1997
Global
Ares Climate & Sustainable Infrastructure
Key Investments
Structured debt & equity platforms
Global growth investor with long history in energy; now focused on transition opportunities including carbon management and industrial decarbonization.
~$86B+ (firm)
Global
1966
Global
Sector platforms
Key Investments
ClimeCo
Developer, investor, and operator spanning generation (gas, solar, wind), transmission, and distributed energy; early mover in utility‑scale battery storage.
~$13.4B committed equity
North America
1990
North America
LS Power Equity Partners V ($2.7B)
Key Investments
250 MW battery (2020) • Algonquin NA renewables
Pure‑play infrastructure investor across energy & environment, digital, transport, and social infrastructure.
~€33B (~$35B)
Europe
2007
Europe
Antin infrastructure funds
Key Investments
European infrastructure platforms
Focuses on assets critical to electrification and the digital economy across power, renewable, and strategic gas infrastructure.
~$27B+ (capital commitments)
North America
2001
North America
ArcLight funds
Key Investments
Power & midstream platforms
Invests in responsible natural resources and the energy transition including e‑mobility and power technology.
~$25B (capital commitments)
North America
1988
North America
NGP funds
Key Investments
North American platforms
Institutional investor providing structured capital across the global energy value chain including renewables and LNG.
~$23B
Global
1982
Global
EIG funds
Key Investments
Global energy platforms
Energy, resources, and sustainable infrastructure specialist with private equity and credit platforms.
~$3.4B (sustainable infrastructure AUM)
Global
2004
Global
Sustainable Infrastructure (equity & credit)
Key Investments
Global sustainable platforms
Global sustainable infrastructure investor building and operating energy, digital, and real‑estate assets in growth markets.
~$12.7B
Global growth markets
2004
EMEA, APAC, LATAM
Actis energy & infrastructure funds
Key Investments
Growth market platforms
ESG‑focused manager specializing in renewable energy, storage, and grid stability; growing data‑center‑powered platforms.
~$4.3B+ (recent fund commitments)
US, UK, Australia
2015
US, UK, AUS
Quinbrook funds
Key Investments
US/UK/AUS new‑build assets
Invests in providers of essential products and services to power, infrastructure, and utilities.
~$26B (equity AUM)
North America
1995
North America
Power Opportunities
Key Investments
Critical infrastructure suppliers
Digital infrastructure specialist (data centers, towers, fiber, edge) increasingly paired with clean power solutions.
~$106B
Global
1991 (origins)
Global
Digital infrastructure funds
Key Investments
Global digital platforms
Latin American alternative manager addressing structural bottlenecks in power, energy, logistics, and transport.
~$48B (pro‑forma)
Latin America
1988
Latin America
Patria infrastructure funds
Key Investments
LatAm infrastructure platforms
Global platform investing across the energy value chain with coalition of utility/industrial partners; from cybersecurity to long‑duration storage.
~$4B+
Global
2015
Global
EIP venture and growth funds
Key Investments
Dragos • Arcadia • Urbint • ...
Public benefit corporation that builds, owns, operates, and finances distributed sustainable infrastructure across power, mobility, water, and waste.
$7B+ (portfolio value)
North America, Europe
2014
North America, Europe
Project finance & platform capital
Key Investments
Distributed infrastructure portfolio
Sustainable real assets investor across energy, transportation, and agriculture; transforms complex assets to capture the transition.
~$4.9B
North America
2008
North America
Sustainable real assets funds
Key Investments
US sustainable platforms
Specialist in deploying capital into the North American power sector as it decarbonizes; deep market operations expertise.
~$5.0B+ (capital raised)
North America
2014
North America
Hull Street funds
Key Investments
North American power assets
Provides hybrid project capital for small‑scale sustainable infrastructure in energy, food, water, waste, and transportation.
~$447M
North America
2017
North America
Hybrid Project Capital fund
Key Investments
RNG developers • distributed assets
Growth‑oriented LP that owns contracted wind, solar, and storage assets with stable, long‑term cash flows.
N/A (publicly traded LP)
North America
2014
North America
Operating yieldco
Key Investments
US contracted portfolio
IPP and investment manager acquiring, owning, and operating distributed solar, wind, and storage across the US.
~$3.6B
United States
2011
United States
Greenbacker funds
Key Investments
US distributed fleet
Investor, developer, and operator focused on middle‑market solar and energy storage assets in the US.
$1.5B+ (capital invested)
United States
2015
United States
Development & acquisition capital
Key Investments
US middle‑market portfolio
Global private asset manager with a significant clean energy platform investing in renewable generation across NA and Europe.
N/A (significant clean energy platform)
North America, Europe
1999
North America, Europe
Clean Energy Infrastructure
Key Investments
NA/EU generation assets
Focuses on lower middle‑market climate and sustainability companies including residential solar and efficiency.
N/A
Americas, India
2018 (spin‑out)
Americas, India
GEF growth funds
Key Investments
Lower middle‑market platforms
Houston‑based private equity firm focused on North American energy and sustainable infrastructure.
~$8B
North America
2019 (as Five Point)
North America
Five Point funds
Key Investments
North American energy assets
Global infrastructure investor with long‑term mandate across OECD markets including clean energy platforms.
N/A (KIA subsidiary)
OECD markets
2013
OECD
Direct investments
Key Investments
OECD infrastructure
Targets control investments in low‑carbon real assets across clean energy, water, and urban infrastructure with climate resilience focus.
~$1B+ (inaugural program)
North America
2019
North America
CAI Fund I
Key Investments
Low‑carbon real assets
Invests in companies that drive environmental and social impact alongside returns, including renewable energy and enabling technologies.
~$1.8B
United States
2020
United States
Inclusive Capital funds
Key Investments
Impact‑oriented public & private holdings
Partners with lower middle‑market, family/founder‑owned businesses including energy and utilities adjacencies.
~$165M (Fund III)
United States
2016
United States
NGP Fund III
Key Investments
US lower middle‑market companies
Control‑oriented buyouts in middle‑market industrials including energy services and products.
~$1.5B (capital deployed)
United States
2002
United States
Argonaut funds
Key Investments
Industrial and energy services companies
European special‑situations investor with asset‑backed strategies, including renewable projects.
~$3B
Europe
2013
Europe
RoundShield funds
Key Investments
European asset‑backed platforms
Dutch private equity firm partnering with mid‑to‑large Benelux companies including sustainable energy markets.
~€1.1B (~$1.2B)
Benelux
1948
Benelux
NPM capital program
Key Investments
Benelux growth platforms
Global real assets manager investing directly and indirectly in private infrastructure including clean energy and geothermal platforms.
N/A
Global
1972 (CBRE origins)
Global
CBRE private infrastructure vehicles
Key Investments
Private infrastructure platforms
European asset manager with dedicated energy transition platform focused on long‑term financing of renewable assets.
~€1B (~$1.1B) energy transition
Europe
2010
Europe
Amundi energy transition vehicles
Key Investments
European renewable portfolios
Acquires and develops energy transition infrastructure including utility‑scale solar and battery storage.
N/A
Europe, Latin America
2022
Europe, LATAM
Glentra energy transition fund
Key Investments
European and LatAm platforms
Invests in sustainable energy infrastructure, including utility‑scale solar and storage projects in North America.
N/A
North America
2018
North America
Power Sustainable funds
Key Investments
North American solar & storage
Global, multi‑strategy platforms with dedicated climate/infrastructure vehicles.
Firms: 11
Dedicated infrastructure and power specialists with deep operating expertise.
Firms: 17
Growth equity and venture platforms backing scaling climate tech.
Firms: 7
Focused strategies by technology or geography.
Firms: 15
The next phase tilts from deployment to hard‑tech scale‑up: long‑duration storage, green molecules (hydrogen, RNG, SAF), carbon management, and grid modernization. Returns will favor teams that blend deep technical and regulatory fluency with platform‑building skills across power and digital infrastructure.
For readers evaluating listed opportunities, start with sound fundamentals and transparent sustainability disclosures. If ESG scores raise questions, see our ESG ratings explained guide for how to interpret risk categories.
For individual investors interested in renewable energy, there are several ways to gain exposure to this growing sector:
Check out our ESG stock database to find publicly traded renewable energy companies with strong sustainability metrics.
This ranking synthesizes qualitative and quantitative signals. We consider the size of dedicated infrastructure, energy, and climate vehicles; recent fundraising momentum; portfolio scale and impact; and strategic influence across the energy transition value chain. We also assess platform capabilities (development, operations, and capital stack coverage) and the ability to deliver reliable 24/7 power when paired with storage and firming assets.
Notes: Data is compiled from firm materials and public sources and reflects relevant capital for the transition. This resource is informational and not investment advice.
A durable combination of long-term policy incentives (e.g., the IRA), surging corporate demand for clean power—especially from data centers—and the compelling economics of mature clean energy technologies.
Grid interconnection queues, transmission bottlenecks, permitting complexity, and a higher cost of capital have slowed timelines and complicated exits.
They deploy diversified strategies—core/buyout infrastructure, growth equity and venture, and private credit—to develop, acquire, and operate assets while managing risk and scale.
To ensure grid reliability and support 24/7 power for the digital economy. Efficient natural gas and storage often “firm” intermittent wind and solar during the transition.
Consider public companies, ETFs, and green bonds. Our ESG stock database helps you screen listed names; see also our ESG ratings guide for how to interpret scores.